In case you don’t know, the Windows Registry contains a System Hive which is a core part of Windows. The Windows operating system store various settings, options, and configurations. And if you encounter a Device Manager Error 49 for a device then it means that the system hive has exceeded its size limit. Worry not for this post will provide you with possible solutions that can help you in fixing error code 49. You will see the following error message when you encounter error code 49:

“Windows cannot start new hardware devices because the system hive is too large (exceeds the Registry Size Limit), (Code 49)”

There are instances when it may so happen that the device or devices are no longer attached to the computer but they are still listed in the system hive of the registry. For instance, if you were removing hardware and application for years but they weren’t removed from the registry then the size of the system hive keeps on growing until it hits the maximum limit. As you know, making changes in the registry manually, no matter how knowledgeable you are on such things is not sage since the registry is not only important but also complex. In addition, the System Hive is also a permanent part of the Registry associated with a set of files that contain information related to the configuration of the computer on which the OS is installed. To resolve this error, you must remove or uninstall any hardware devices that are no longer in the system. In fact, the Device Manager hides them by default so you need to enable hidden or non-present devices. Follow the instructions given below to set the Devices Manager to display devices that are no longer connected to the computer. Step 1: Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Step 2: After that type in “cmd” and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt. Step 3: Type “set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1” in the Command Prompt and hit Enter to enable the hidden devices option. Step 4: After that, exit Command Prompt and tap Win + X + M to open the Devices Manager. Step 5: After opening the Devices Manager, click on View and then select the “Show hidden devices” option. This will show you all the devices that are not connected to the computer but are still mentioned. Step 6: Next, select a non-present device and click Uninstall from the Driver tab. Step 7: After that, repeat what you’ve done on step 5 for any other device that you no longer use. Step 8: Restart your computer. You can check the device Properties dialog box in the Device Manager after you’re done removing all the useless devices, to check if the error is now fixed or not. Moreover, you can also try running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter as it can also help resolve hardware-related problems. To use it, refer to the steps below.

• The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
• After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
• From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
• Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
• After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.

WeatherGenie is a Browser Extension that allows users to check the current weather in any town at any time. This extension adds the “Weather:” search option to your new tab, and changes your default search engine to Yahoo.com. It also ads system Registry Entities that allow it to run each time the computer is restarted, several task schedulers are also added to allow it to run at various times during the day.

While installing this extension monitor browsing data from your computer. You may also see additional injected ads, sponsored links, and pop-up ads through your browser sessions. Weather games have been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus scanners and are therefore not recommended to keep on your computer. It is flagged as potentially unwanted for optional removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a very common type of online fraud where your web browser settings are altered to allow it to do things you do not intend. Browser hijackers could do a variety of things on your PC. Often, hijackers will force hits to sites of their preference either to increase targeted traffic generating higher ad earnings, or to gain a commission for every user visiting there. Even though it might seem naive, all browser hijackers are harmful and thus always regarded as security risks. As soon as the malware attacks your computer or laptop, it begins to mess things up a whole that slows your system down to a crawl. In the worse case, you might be pushed to tackle serious malware threats too.

How you can know whether the web browser is hijacked?

Symptoms that an internet browser is hi-jacked include: 1. you notice unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s home-page 2. bookmark and the new tab are also changed 3. the essential web browser settings are modified and unwanted or insecure sites are put into the trusted sites list 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never witnessed before 5. you’ll notice random pop-ups start showing on a regular basis 6. web pages load slowly and at times incomplete 7. you can’t navigate to particular web pages, such as security software-related websites.

How does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

There are a number of ways your PC can become infected with a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam e-mail, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by download. They can be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plugins, or browser extensions. Other times you might have mistakenly accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software bundle (generally freeware or shareware). A good example of some popular browser hijackers includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing. The existence of any browser hijacker on your system might substantially diminish the browsing experience, record your internet activities that lead to critical privacy concerns, diminish overall system performance and cause software instability as well.

The best ways to get rid of browser hijackers

Some browser hijacking can be simply reversed by identifying and eliminating the corresponding malware software from your control panel. But, many hijackers are harder to find or eliminate as they could get themselves connected with certain crucial computer files which allow them to operate as a necessary operating-system process. Besides, browser hijackers could modify the Computer registry so it could be very tough to repair manually, especially if you’re not a very tech-savvy individual. You can go for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. SafeBytes Anti-Malware discovers all kinds of hijackers – such as WeatherGenie – and eliminates every trace quickly and efficiently. Utilize a pc optimizer (such as Restoro) together with your antivirus software to repair various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.

How To Get Rid Of Malware That Is Blocking Anti-Malware Installation?

Practically all malware is detrimental and the effects of the damage may vary based on the specific type of malware. Some malware goes to great lengths to stop you from downloading or installing anything on your PC, particularly anti-virus software programs. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a malware infection that is preventing you to download or install the Safebytes Anti-Malware program on your system. Refer to the instructions below to get rid of malware through alternative ways.

Remove malware in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is actually a special, basic version of Windows where only bare minimum services are loaded to stop viruses and also other problematic programs from loading. In the event the malware is blocking internet access and affecting your computer, starting it in Safe Mode enables you to download anti-malware and run a scan whilst limiting possible damage. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can attempt to install your anti-malware software without the hindrance of the malware. After installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.

Switch to an alternative internet browser

Some malware mainly targets specific internet browsers. If this is your situation, use another internet browser as it can circumvent the computer virus. The best solution to avoid this problem is to opt for a web browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you safe online.

Make a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Here’s yet another solution which is using a portable USB anti-virus software that can scan your system for malware without needing installation. Follow these steps to employ a USB flash drive to clean your corrupted computer system. 1) Download the anti-malware on a virus-free PC. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the anti-malware program to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Choose the flash drive as the location for saving the file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, transfer the flash drive to the infected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a scan on the affected computer for viruses.

Top Features of SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Today an anti-malware tool can protect your computer or laptop from various forms of online threats. But how do choose the best one amongst several malware protection software that is available in the market? Perhaps you might be aware, there are several anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. A few of them are great but there are many scamware applications that pretend as genuine anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on the computer. When searching for an anti-malware tool, pick one which provides dependable, efficient, and complete protection against all known computer viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software is SafeBytes AntiMalware. SafeBytes carries a superb history of excellent service, and customers are happy with it. Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions companies, which offer this comprehensive anti-malware tool. When you have installed this software, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will ensure that absolutely no viruses or malware can seep through your computer. SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. The following are a few of the great ones: Active Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your PC. It will inspect your personal computer for suspicious activity at all times and shields your personal computer from illegal access. Robust Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is based on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines can find and eliminate threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak. Fast Scan: SafeBytes’s high-speed malware scanning engine reduces scanning times and extends battery life. Simultaneously, it’ll effectively identify and remove infected computer files or any online threat. Internet Security: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety ranking to every website you visit and block access to web pages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malicious software. Very Low CPU and Memory Usage: SafeBytes is a lightweight tool. It consumes a very small amount of processing power as it runs in the background so you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you would like. Premium Support: For any technical issues or product assistance, you could get 24/7 professional assistance via chat and email. To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your laptop or computer against all sorts of malware threats. Malware problems will become a thing of the past when you put this software program to use. So if you’re looking for a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still easy to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To remove WeatherGenie manually, navigate to the Add/Remove programs list in the Control Panel and choose the program you want to remove. For internet browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you wish to disable or remove. You’ll probably also want to reset your browser to its default configuration settings. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and Windows registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. Please keep in mind that only experienced users should attempt to manually edit the registry because deleting any single critical system file results in a serious problem or even a system crash. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is advisable that you do the removal process in Safe Mode.

As you know, Windows 10 comes with a pre-packed feature that allows you to rotate the screen at different angles, and to facilitate this feature, there are keyboard shortcuts you can use as well. However, from time to time, no matter how useful this feature is, users still experience a handful of issues. One of which is that they suddenly find their screen rotated or Upside Down even when they didn’t do a thing or adjust the setting. You may have pressed the shortcut on the keyboard by accident or some other program changed the setting on your computer without your permission – whichever the case is, this post will show you what you can do to fix the upside-down screen on your Windows 10 PC using the options laid out below.

Option 1 – Try using hotkeys

As mentioned earlier, Windows have hotkeys in the UI that changes the orientation of the display. So the first thing you need to do is to make sure that these hotkeys are enabled and if they are, you can use the keyboard shortcut to adjust the orientation of your screen.

• Right-click on an empty part of your Desktop and then select the Graphic options.
• Next, select “Hot Keys” > “Enable”. After verifying that the hotkeys are enabled, you can tap the Ctrl + Alt + Up arrow keys to change your computer screen’s orientation.
• Alternatively, you can also tap the Ctrl + Alt + Right or Left or Down arrow keys to change the direction the other way.

Option 2 – Try using the Graphics Properties

You will probably see the “Graphics Properties” option if you use the Intel HD Graphics every time you click on your Desktop. Note that this option has all the graphics driver properties and helps you in changing the configurations as well as control several options like refresh rate, resolution, color-depth and many more. You have to navigate to these options to see if the orientation is changed in these properties. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop and then select Graphics Properties or Intel Graphics Settings.
• After that, select Display from the list of sub-options that appears.
• From there, you will see the rotation of the screen under the “Display settings” option where you have to make sure that the slider is set to “0”.
• Click the Apply button to save the changes made and then click on Exit. The orientation of your screen should automatically change.

Option 3 – Try using the Windows Display Settings

Since the Windows Settings have a section where you can manage the display settings of your computer, you can use them to help control the resolution of your PC’s display without any trouble. There is a possibility that the settings are changed there so that’s probably why your screen is turned upside down all of a sudden.

• Tap the Win + S keys to open search and then type in “settings” in the field and then hit Enter to open Settings.
• After opening Settings, click on System and then on Display using the left navigation bar and then scroll to the end and select the Advanced display settings.
• Next, click on the Display adapter properties and click on Intel HD Graphics control panel.
• Now change the rotation to 0 Degrees. Afterward, the display should revert back to its original form automatically.

Option 4 – Check your monitor’s physical controls

There are monitors that have buttons in them that allows users to shift the rotation of the screen to 90 degrees. It could be that your monitor has these buttons without you knowing and you suddenly pressed them by mistake which caused your screen to rotate. Thus, you have to check your monitor for any physical buttons on the side and if you see a menu, navigate to its options and check if there are screen rotation options. To make it easier for you, you can simply search your monitor’s model online and see if these buttons exist. You could also go over your monitor’s manual if you still have it as it contains details with regards to screen rotation.

Option 5 – Update your Graphics drivers

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in devmgmt.msc and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• Expand the section for the outdated device drivers.
• And then select the outdated driver(s) and right-click on it/them.
• From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option if you wish to update the driver or select the Uninstall device if you want to uninstall the driver and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
• Restart your PC after the installation to allow the system to reinstall the driver.

A lot of Windows users, use a second GPU for their computer systems, especially gamers above the dedicated graphics card. The operating system is set such that the dedicated high-end graphics card is set to default but there are times when the system does not recognize or detect the second graphics card. Even though every computer system comes with an integrated graphics card, for the most part, it is insufficient for graphics-intensive games and software which is why if you have an extra dedicated graphics card and your computer does not seem to detect or recognize it, then this post is for you. It could be that the dedicated graphics card has failed or it could also be an issue with the drivers and so on. Follow the suggested options below to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Update your Graphics drivers

• First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
• After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
• After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
• Now restart your computer.
• After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.

Option 2 – Update the BIOS

Take note that you have to be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
• From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
• After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
• Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
• If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
• Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
• Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 3 – Try changing the GPU settings

• Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop and select Graphics Properties. Note that the Graphics Properties screen depends on the graphics drivers installed on your computer and are system-specific as they may be different for other systems but they aren’t hard to find.
• After that, make sure that the dedicated Graphics card is selected as Default under the Select Display drop-down.
• If the Graphics card isn’t set as Default, set it and click Apply and Exit.

Option 4 – Try disabling the driver for the integrated Graphics card

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
• From there, expand the list of Display Adapters and then right-click and select Disable device for the Integrated Graphics card. However, if the dedicated Graphics card fails, the display won’t work so you need to restart the system and enable it.

As you know, NVIDIA is one of the topmost graphics cards used and it has been that way for several years already. And in those years, the company has managed to release the best cards on the market. However, there are still times when some things fail and don’t work as expected due to some NVIDIA driver issues. As of late, one of the issues users reported about NVIDIA drivers is that it keeps on crashing on a daily basis. It gets to the point where they aren’t able to play games anymore while some users experience lag and rendering issues. In addition, some users also reported that their computer display tends to freeze sometimes, and then things would seem to go back to normal but only for a short span of time as the crash seems to happen every 10 minutes. This can be extremely annoying as you won’t be able to use your computer properly. If you are one of these users, worry not for there are several ways you can try to resolve the problem in your Windows 10 computer. Make sure to carefully follow the options given below.

Option 1 – Try checking if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled

Although the problem is quite massive, the fix could be as simple as enabling the NVIDIA graphics card if it turns out to be disabled. There might be some strange reason why your graphics card disables itself. Thus, the best and first option you can try is to check if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled or not. To do so, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
• After opening the Device Manager, look for the Nvidia graphics card option among the list of device drivers. Once you found it, check if it is enabled or not. If it’s not enabled, you should see a gray arrow pointing downwards. Right-click on the card and select Enabled.
• Next, right-click on the graphics card once more and click on the Update Driver Software option and then click on the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.

Option 2 – Try to choose Maximum Performance and disable Vsync

If the first option didn’t work out for you, then you might want to try turning off Vsync and adjust the performance to the maximum. Refer to these steps to disable Vsync and adjust performance to the maximum.

• The first thing you have to do is right-click on your desktop and select the NVIDIA Control Panel among the options.
• After opening the NVIDIA Control Panel, select Manage 3D Settings.
• After that, set Vsync to off, and then in the Power Management Mode, set it to Maximum Performance. That should fix the problem.

Option 3 – Try updating the drivers from the official site of NVIDIA

If both the first and second given options didn’t work, you can also try updating the drivers from the official NVIDIA website. And in case you don’t know the type of Nvidia graphics card that your computer is on, follow the steps below:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next type in “dxdiag” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
• From there, you can see what type of Nvidia graphics card that your system is on.
• Take note of your graphics card information and then look for the best drivers for your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, restart your PC.

For a while now, Microsoft has been working hard to add various built-in troubleshooters in Windows 10. In fact, there is a troubleshooter for almost every standard or common error in Windows 10. And now with the newly released Windows 10 v1903, Microsoft has added the Recommended Troubleshooting which allows Windows 10 to automatically fix a lot of critical issues on your computer, and in this post, you will be guided on how you can turn on or off the Recommended Troubleshooting in Windows 10. The Microsoft Diagnostic & Feedback data only provides two settings – Basic and Full. So if you want to turn off the Recommended Troubleshooting for some reason, the only way to do so is to stop it from collecting complete data from your PC. And to turn it on or off, you can choose to switch between them. To do that, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback and from there, select Basic under the Diagnostic Data section. After that, go back to Settings and go to Update & security > Troubleshoot. Once you’re there, you should see a warning message saying, “Share Full Diagnostic data to get additional troubleshooting recommendations”. Based on the message, Microsoft will only offer the recommended troubleshooting based on the Full Diagnostic data which it collects from your computer. On the other hand, if you know how to navigate and use the Windows Registry, then you can enable or disable the Recommended Troubleshooting via Registry Editor but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point. Once that’s covered, follow these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “regedit” in the field and tap Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoft
• From there, look for the key named “WindowsMigration”. If you can’t find it, just right-click on the left pane and create a new key and then name it “WindowsMigration”.
• After that, create a DWORD “UserPreference” and double click on it to set its value to “0” if you want to turn it off or “1” if you want to turn it on.
• Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Note: The Recommended Troubleshooting functionality can look into the error logs sent back to the Microsoft team and use an algorithm to set up a solution for you and they’re nothing but Diagnostics and Feedback data that Windows collects and sends back to Microsoft. Moreover, the recommendations are only visible if you are connected to the internet, else it will show the same message.

If you have suddenly run into a problem when trying to connect or pair your Bluetooth keyboard with your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will guide you on how exactly you can resolve the problem. This kind of problem typically occurs when you’ve disabled the Bluetooth option. However, this option is already enabled and you still encountered the same error message saying, “Check the PIN and try connecting again”, then you need to troubleshoot the problem further. In most cases, this kind of issue can be fixed when you restart your computer and go to the Windows Settings and select the “Add Bluetooth or other devices” option and then put the keyboard into pairing mode. And when the keyboard appears in the “Add a device” dialog box, just select it. On the other hand, if your Bluetooth keyboard won’t get connected to your Windows 10 computer and you encounter an error that says, “Can’t pair Bluetooth keyboard, Check the PIN and try connecting again”, then you need to check out the options provided below but before you do so, make sure that you create a System Restore point first as some of the troubleshooting options provided involves the Windows Registry.

Option 1 – Try to use the Device Pairing Wizard

The Device Pairing Wizard is the one that allows your computer to look for any new devices and display them underneath it. All you have to do to use this wizard is to follow its instructions to connect your Bluetooth device to Windows 10. To get started, follow these steps:

• First, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “devicepairingwizard” in the field, and then hit Enter to run the Device Pairing Wizard.
• After that, wait for a couple of seconds until the devices appear. Once they do, select the Bluetooth device you wish to add.
• A new screen with a passcode should appear instantly. You need to take note of the given passcode and type them on your Bluetooth keyboard.
• Once done, tap Enter. This should help in pairing your computer to your Bluetooth keyboard.

Option 2 – Try to use the Registry Editor

The next thing you can do to resolve the pairing issue with your Bluetooth keyboard is to use the Registry Editor by following these steps:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and type “Regedit” in the field and then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, navigate to this registry path: HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Bluetooth/ExceptionDB
• From there, look for the folder named “Addrs” and expand it. If you see any folders or keys under it, select them and delete them. These keys represent the MAC address of your Bluetooth devices.
• Once you’re done, restart your computer and try to pair your Bluetooth keyboard once more.

Option 3 – Try running the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

As you know, Windows 10 has various troubleshooters with user-friendly interfaces where you can utilize them to fix issues in your PC. And since you’re dealing with some Bluetooth problem, you have to run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter.

• Open the Windows 10 Settings.
• Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• You should find the option for Bluetooth on your right-hand side – click on it then click on the “Run the troubleshooter” option.
• Now follow the next screen options.

Option 4 – Try to reinstall or update the Bluetooth driver

The issue might have something to do with the Bluetooth drivers. It could be that it is outdated and needs to be updated or that you recently updated it and since you have trouble pairing your Bluetooth keyboard, you can update, rollback, or uninstall the Bluetooth drivers. How? Follow the steps below.

• Tap the Win + X keys to open the Device Manager.
• Next, look for the Bluetooth device and right-click on it.
• Select the option “Update driver”.
• After that, a new popup window will appear. In there, select the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software”.

Note: Checking the update may take a few minutes so you’ll have to wait until it finishes. If it is able to find an update, you must install it.

The Gardening Enthusiast toolbar is another product that is advertised as a helpful addition to your browsing experience when it is really nothing more than the software you should remove as soon as possible. It is touted as a toolbar that will provide you with a lot of useful gardening tips. That is the hook to get you to install it. But, in truth, the only thing that it does is provide you with links to popular gardening websites that you can easily find on any search engine.

When installed the extension will change your default search engine and home page to MyWay.com

While browsing the internet with this extension you will see additional sponsored ads and links throughout your browsing session.

Anti-virus applications have marked this extension as a Browser Hijacker and are therefore marked for removal. While not considered malware, the fact that many users find it to hinder browser performance has led to its detection and flag for optional removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking means a malicious program code has control over and modified the settings of your browser, without your permission. Practically all browser hijackers are made for marketing or advertising purposes. Usually, hijackers will force hits to internet sites of their preference either to increase web traffic producing higher ad earnings, or to obtain a commission for every user visiting there. Nevertheless, it isn’t that harmless. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is extremely annoying. Once the malware attacks your laptop or computer, it starts to mess things up a whole that slows your PC down to a crawl. In the worse case, you will be forced to tackle serious malware threats too.

Browser hijacking symptoms

The typical symptoms that suggest having this malware on your PC are: your home page has been reset to some unfamiliar website; you see new unwanted favorites or bookmarks added, usually directed to ad-filled or pornography sites; the default online search engine has been changed and the web browser security settings have been lowered without your knowledge; find new toolbars that you didn’t add; you notice lots of pop-up ads on your screen; your web browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes quite often; Inability to navigate to certain sites, especially anti-malware and also other security software webpages.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way to your PC

A browser hijacker can be installed on your computer when you go to an infected site, click an e-mail attachment, or download something from a file-sharing website. They could be included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plug-ins, or browser extensions. Other times you might have accidentally accepted a browser hijacker as part of a software program package (generally freeware or shareware). Examples of popular browser hijackers are Fireball, Ask Toolbar, GoSave, CoolWebSearch, Babylon Toolbar, and RocketTab. Browser hijackers can record user keystrokes to gather potentially invaluable information that leads to privacy issues, cause instability on computers, significantly disrupt user’s browsing experience, and ultimately slow down the PC to a point where it will become unusable.

Removing browser hijackers

Certain browser hijacking could be easily reversed by identifying and eliminating the corresponding malware application from your control panel. Unfortunately, many of the software products used to hijack an internet browser are deliberately designed to be hard to detect or get rid of. You should think of undertaking manual fixes only if you are a tech-savvy person, as risks are associated with tinkering with the computer registry and HOSTS file. Browser hijackers can be effectively removed by installing anti-malware software on the affected PC. If you need to remove persistent hijackers effectively, install the award-winning anti-malware tool Safebytes Anti-Malware. And employ a system optimizer, like Total System Care, to eliminate all related files in the registry and fix browser issues.

How To Get Eliminate Malware That Is Preventing Anti-Malware Installation?

All malware is inherently harmful, but certain kinds of malicious software do more damage to your computer or laptop than others. Certain malware types alter internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS configuration settings. When this happens, you’ll be unable to visit certain or all of the sites, and thus unable to download or install the necessary security software to get rid of the computer virus. If you are reading this, chances are you’re stuck with a virus infection that is preventing you to download and/or install Safebytes Anti-Malware software on your computer. Even though this sort of problem can be harder to get around, there are some steps you can take.

Remove viruses in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a special, basic version of Microsoft Windows where only the bare minimum services are loaded to prevent viruses as well as other problematic applications from loading. In the event, the malware is set to load immediately when PC boots, shifting to this particular mode can prevent it from doing so. To enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. At this point, you can run the antivirus scan to eliminate viruses and malware without any interference from another application.

Switch over to an alternate internet browser

Malicious code might exploit vulnerabilities on a specific browser and block access to all antivirus software websites. In the event you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective thing to do would be to switch over to a different browser like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari to download your chosen computer security software – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install security software on a flash drive

To successfully get rid of the malware, you need to approach the problem of installing the anti-malware program on the affected computer system from a different perspective. To run antivirus from a USB drive, follow these simple measures: 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the clean computer. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, select the location of the pen drive as the place in which you want to store the software files. Follow the activation instructions. 5) Unplug the pen drive. You may now use this portable antivirus on the infected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware program EXE file on the pen drive. 7) Click on “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for viruses.

Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Security Suite

If you’re planning to purchase anti-malware for your desktop, there are numerous brands and utilities for you to consider. Some are well worth your money, but most aren’t. You must select a company that creates industry-best anti-malware and has earned a reputation as trustworthy. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended software program for security-conscious people. SafeBytes anti-malware is a very effective and easy-to-use protection tool that is designed for end-users of all levels of IT literacy. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will help you get rid of several types of malware like viruses, worms, PUPs, trojans, adware, ransomware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a totally new level with its enhanced features. Here are some of the features you will like in SafeBytes.

Anti-Malware Protection: Built upon a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal tool can detect and remove several stubborn malware threats such as browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and ransomware that other typical antivirus programs will miss. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes offers real-time active supervision and protection from all known viruses and malware. It will constantly monitor your computer for hacker activity and also gives end-users sophisticated firewall protection. Safe Browsing: Safebytes allots all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the website you’re about to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight: SafeBytes is renowned for its low impact on processing power and great detection rate of countless threats. It works silently and efficiently in the background so you are free to make use of your personal computer at full power all the time. 24/7 Premium Support: You will get 24/7 technical support to quickly resolve any issue with your security software. SafeBytes will keep your personal computer safe from the latest malware threats automatically with hardly any input needed from you again. Malware problems will become a thing of the past once you put this software to use. You’ll get the best all-around protection for the money you spend on SafeBytes Anti-Malware subscription, there is no doubt about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you do not wish to use malware removal software and like to remove Gardening Enthusiast manually, you could do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and deleting the offending program; in cases of browser add-ons, you may uninstall it by visiting the browsers Add-on/Extension manager. You might also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, and also delete browsing history, temporary files, and internet cookies. To make sure of complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your computer and remove them or reset the values appropriately. However, editing the Windows registry is really a difficult job that only experienced computer users and professionals should attempt to fix the problem. In addition, certain malware keeps replicating which makes it difficult to eliminate. Completing this task in Safe Mode is advised.

CalendarSpark is a browser extension developed by MindSpark. This extension allows an easy way to print or view calendar templates and make schedulers for a day/week/month/year. This browser extension hijacks your browser home page and search engine, changing them to MyWay.com. While the extension is installed it monitors your browsing activity and collets visited websites, clicked links, and sometimes even personal information, which it later uses to display targeted unwanted ads through your browsing sessions.

While browsing the internet with this extension installed you will see additional sponsored links, ads, and sometimes even pop-up ads on websites that are not supposed to have any of these. Several anti-virus scanners have detected this extension as a Browser Hijacker, and due to its data collecting behavior, it is not recommended to keep it on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes called hijackware) are a kind of malware that modifies web browser configuration settings without the computer owner’s knowledge or permission. These kinds of hijacks are raising at an alarming rate across the world, and they could be truly nefarious and sometimes harmful too. Browser hijacker malware is created for a number of reasons. These are generally used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. However, it’s not that harmless. Your online safety is jeopardized and it is also extremely irritating. In a worst-case scenario, your browser could be hijacked to open up your computer system to a host of additional attacks.

Indications of browser hijack

When your browser is hi-jacked, the following could happen: your home page is reset to some unknown webpage; you get redirected to sites you never intended to visit; The default search page of the web browser is changed; unwanted new toolbars are added to your internet browser; you’ll find random pop-ups start showing on a regular basis; your internet browser starts running slowly or exhibits frequent errors; Inability to navigate to certain websites, particularly antivirus as well as other security software sites.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your PC

Browser hijackers can enter a PC by some means or other, including via file sharing, downloads, and e-mail as well. They could also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, add-on, or extension. A browser hijacker can be installed as a part of freeware, shareware, demoware, and pirated programs. An example of some well-known browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, DefaultTab, SweetPage, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing. Browser hijackers could interrupt the user’s web surfing experience significantly, track the websites visited by users and steal sensitive information, cause problems in connecting to the net, and then finally create stability issues, causing programs and computers to freeze.

Removal

Some kinds of browser hijackers can be quickly removed from the computer by deleting malicious applications or any other recently added freeware. Regrettably, most of the software applications used to hijack an internet browser are intentionally designed to be difficult to remove or detect. Furthermore, manual removals require in-depth system knowledge and therefore can be an extremely difficult job for novice computer users.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Antivirus?

Practically all malware is inherently dangerous, but certain types of malware do much more damage to your computer than others. Some malware sits in between your computer and your internet connection and blocks a few or all websites that you would like to check out. It will also block you from the installation of anything on your PC, especially antivirus applications. If you’re reading this article now, you might have perhaps realized that virus infection is the real cause of your blocked net connectivity. So how to proceed when you want to download and install an antivirus application like Safebytes? Although this sort of problem can be tougher to circumvent, there are some steps you can take.

Download the software in Safe Mode with Networking

In Safe Mode, you may change Windows settings, un-install or install some program, and eliminate hard-to-delete viruses and malware. In case the virus is set to load immediately when the PC starts, switching to this mode can prevent it from doing so. To boot into Safe Mode, press “F8” key on the keyboard just before Windows logo screen appears; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, look over Safe Boot under Boot tab, and then click Apply. After you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, as well as update the anti-malware program from there. At this point, you can run the anti-malware scan to eliminate viruses and malware without hindrance from another application.

Obtain the antivirus program using an alternate web browser

Some malware only targets particular internet browsers. If this sounds like your situation, utilize another browser as it may circumvent the virus. The best way to avoid this problem is to choose a browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to help keep you safe online.

Install and run anti-malware from the Thumb drive

Here’s yet another solution which is creating a portable USB antivirus software package that can check your system for malicious software without the need for installation. To run anti-virus from a USB drive, follow these simple steps: 1) Use another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the flash drive to a USB slot on the clean computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to open the installation wizard. 4) When asked, choose the location of the USB drive as the place where you would like to store the software files. Follow activation instructions. 5) Unplug the flash drive. You may now use this portable anti-malware on the affected computer. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the flash drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all types of malware.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware Benefits

If you are looking to install anti-malware software for your PC, there are numerous tools on the market to consider but you cannot trust blindly to anyone, irrespective of whether it is free or paid software. A few of them are great, some are decent, while some will harm your computer themselves! You need to select one that is dependable, practical, and has a strong reputation for its malware protection. While thinking about the dependable software programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trusted tool that not only protects your computer system permanently but is also very user-friendly for people of all ability levels. Once you’ve got installed this software, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will make sure that absolutely no viruses or malicious software can seep through your personal computer. SafeBytes has a plethora of amazing features that can help you protect your PC from malware attacks and damage. Listed below are some of the great features included in the tool. Optimum AntiMalware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes provides multilayered protection that is designed to find and eliminate viruses and malware that are concealed deep in your computer’s operating system. Live Protection: SafeBytes offers a completely hands-free real-time protection that is set to observe, block, and wipe out all computer threats at its very first encounter. It will inspect your computer for suspicious activity regularly and its unparalleled firewall shields your computer from illegal entry by the outside world. Faster Scan: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has got a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5 times faster than any other protection software. Website Filtering: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety ranking to each and every site you visit and block access to webpages known to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malware. Light-weight: The program is light-weight and will work silently in the background, and will not impact your computer efficiency. Premium Support: For any technical inquiries or product assistance, you could get 24/7 professional assistance via chat and email.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of CalendarSpark manually, navigate to the Add/Remove programs list in the Windows Control Panel and select the program you want to get rid of. For browser extensions, go to your web browser’s Addon/Extension manager and select the add-on you intend to remove or disable. You will probably also want to reset your internet browser. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard disk and computer registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. But bear in mind, this is a tricky task and only computer professionals can carry it out safely. In addition, certain malicious programs are capable to defend against its deletion. Doing this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is suggested.

Error Code 0xd0000272 – What is it?

Error code 0xd0000272 occurs when Windows users are unable to activate their operating system. This usually occurs due to activation servers being busy or unavailable and affects Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users. Common symptoms of the error code include the following:

• Inability to activate Windows operating system
• Message box with error code 0xd0000272

Solution

Error Causes

Windows users affected by error code 0xd0000272 usually receive a message stating that the “activation server is busy or unavailable”. Some users report the error is resolved on its own after a few hours, while others experience activation issues that resolve only after manual repair methods are implemented.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To improve your chances of resolving issues related to Windows activation error codes, use manual repair methods and procedures. These are often successful as they address the issues causing the error codes to occur, whether there be missing or corrupted system files, network connectivity issues, or invalid product keys.

Error code 0xd0000272 may be resolved by simply waiting until later – a few hours at most – to reattempt activation. If, however, the activation process fails, proceed with the methods suggested below or contact a Windows repair technician.

1. Method One: Verify Internet Connection to Activate Windows

Are network connectivity issues preventing your machine from activating Windows? Check for this issue by verifying whether or not you are connected. Once you’ve been able to check your connection via your Internet settings and troubleshoot your network where necessary, proceed to the Product Activation Wizard.

The Product Activation Wizard will check if you have permission or authorized access to the version of Windows you are attempting to activate. This process usually involves the use of a product key. Once you enter the 25-character code – in the correct order, of course – proceed by selecting the activation option.

If the process is successful, you will be able to complete the activation and access all the features of the Windows edition you have activated. You will also notice the absence of the error code 0xd0000272 message. In cases where this manual repair method is unable to successfully resolve the issue, however, move to the next manual repair procedure on this list.

2. Method Two: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Another tool available to Windows users is the Windows Update Troubleshooter. You may access the Windows Update Troubleshooter offered on Windows 8 since it does not require an internet connection and runs most of the functions required. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Step one: Swipe to the right of the screen and click Search
• Step two: Type Troubleshooting
• Step three: Click Settings then select Troubleshooting
• Step four: Under System & Security, click Fix Problems with Windows Update
• Step five: Select Next

You can also visit Microsoft’s website to access a more comprehensive Windows Update Troubleshoot tool. Download the troubleshooter and run it to fix problems related to Windows Update. Afterward, restart your computer then check the Product Activation Wizard to verify whether or not you can activate Windows 8 or 8.1.  If the problem persists, however, and error code 0xd0000272 reoccurs, proceed to the third manual repair method.

3. Method Three: Disable Proxy Settings

Your computer’s proxy settings may in some cases interfere with the activation process, resulting in issues like error code 0xd0000272. To fix this problem, first, disable your proxy setting then reattempt the activation process using the Product Activation Wizard.

• Step one: Press Win + C keyboard combination
• Step two: Select Settings
• Step three: Click Change PC Settings
• Step four: Select Network, then Proxy
• Step six: Switch proxy server settings to Off

Open the Product Activation Wizard once you’ve disabled the proxy settings. Complete the activation process based on the instructions provided. If you are successful, you will no longer be bothered by error code 0xd0000272 as the symptoms of the error code will not occur.

If, however, this manual repair method fails to resolve the error code, you may need to consider other alternatives. These may include the use of a powerful automated tool. You can also consider getting help from a Windows repair technician as such professionals are able to assess your computer and provide solutions as needed.